DERA Ports Grant Recipients

Five of the DERA ports grant recipients pose with OTAQ Director Chris Grundler following the awards ceremony.

A Collaborative Effort to Improve Port Sustainability

An audience member asks Dr. Robert Bullard a question about community engagement and environmental justice.

Advancing More Sustainable Ports

On April, 8, 2014 EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality hosted the Port Stakeholders Summit in Baltimore. The Summit served as a venue for port professionals, experts and stakeholders to address the many opportunities and challenges faced by our nation’s ports and neighboring communities. Meeting Summary and Summit Agenda

Poster displays provided by:

Executive Steering Committee

EPA’s Office of Transportation and Air Quality would like to thank all members of the Executive Steering Committee, whose contributions were essential to the success of the Summit. Members represented the following organizations:

“The Maryland Port Administration (MPA) is pleased that EPA has chosen Baltimore for the inaugural National Stakeholders Summit. I commend the EPA in initiating this National Conversation on Ports.

"This is an outstanding opportunity to learn about and discuss partnerships involving citizens, the private sector, non-government organizations and government that are used in Ports across the U.S. as well as share the collaborative relationships in the Port of Baltimore that have been critical to our success.”

Shawn Garvin, Regional Administrator, EPA Region 3

“We’ve learned that those who live and work in communities closest to port facilities are best able to identify solutions that align well with the priorities of the surrounding neighborhoods.

“We welcome the opportunity to continue functioning in a collaborative capacity with the port sector, neighboring communities, and our local, state, and federal partners.”

Bob Perciasepe, EPA Deputy Administrator, Keynote Speaker

“EPA committed to use our tools and expertise to empower ports, shippers, and communities to work together towards a shared goal of a healthy and prosperous future.

“By focusing on reducing emissions, together we can spur innovation, job creation, clean energy and economic growth for years to come. As we explore promising actions for advancing more sustainable ports, we must keep in mind that both the economy and the environment must provide for current and future generations.

“There’s a unifying threat that ties all of us together, regardless of what part of the port community we hail from. We’re all interested in a strong local economy and protecting public health.”

“Dennis McLerran: Ports are complex and often times with many competing interests needing different strategies. There needs to be better alignment across the board- among stakeholders, between governments, and within ports on environmental programs and objectives. The webinars and summit are the first step in developing a mechanism to convene and share information and input among all stakeholders.

“Chris Grundler: Many public health and climate concerns at ports are related to air emissions. Work has already begun with a number of strategic, programmatic, and technology approaches to improve air quality. EPA will continue working with regions and federal agencies to address other environmental concerns at ports and seek partnerships and collaborations that could expand the conversation beyond air.”

Robert Bullard, Dean, Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs, Texas Southern University

“Greening our nation’s ports and making them more sustainable have tremendous health and environmental justice benefits since a disproportionate share of ports are located in low-wealth and people of color communities.

“Priorities must be given to reducing environmental and health burdens on these fenceline communities and targeted initiatives undertaken to increase economic benefits to make them more sustainable, livable and resilient.”